In the 33rd over of Pakistan's chase, immediately after Saifullah Khan became England's sixth victim, the contest was spiced up by a verbal showdown between the England players and the two batsmen. England's Matthew Fisher got in the act and the target was Zafar Gohar, who had just walked in. England's players were at the receiving end of the invective against India a match ago but this time, chose not to play victim. The umpire then had a long chat with England captain Will Rhodes to defuse the situation.

Gohar, whose day job is a left-arm spinner, showed he could bat too. With Amad Butt, Gohar gave Pakistan the belief that they could pull it off after 142 for 7. Their eighth-wicket stand of 63 guided Pakistan to the final, with a little help from England, according to Gohar. He politely referred to the showdown as "banter", but the pictures suggested something more intense. Gohar, in the post-match press conference, said the incident had spurred them on to never give up on the target.

"The banter gave me more energy and helped me focus better," Gohar said. "Seeing them so aggressive, I did not want to lose the match, and wanted to give them the answer by winning the game."

Moments after Pakistan pulled off a tense chase in the final over, the players from both sides put the incident behind them as they embraced. Gohar said the same set of players were no strangers to each other, with the teams playing each other in tournaments leading to the World Cup. "We are good friends, so nothing serious about it," Gohar assured.

Gohar and Butt showed maturity in rotating the strike because the asking rate didn't demand a boundary off each over. Between them, they hit five fours and a six but they also kept England on their toes by pushing singles. Gohar said the talk in the middle was to bat out 50 overs if needed.

"Our coaching staff had told us to play out all the overs, and we had the ability to help the team win," he said. "I was telling him to bat till the end and build a partnership. Once we started that the pressure was on them, and runs started coming automatically. We did that and we were successful."

That Pakistan made heavy weather of a modest target of 205 was due to the pressure inflicted on themselves due to poor shot selection that reduced them to 57 for 4. The captain Sami Aslam himself put his hand up for not setting a good example, falling lbw trying to sweep the offspinner Rob Sayer, after he had just scored two boundaries.

Pakistan were rescued thanks to the stand between Saud Shakeel and Ameer Hamza and then the Gohar-Butt partnership.

"I played a bad shot under the circumstances. Two to three players played poor shots, but Saud Shakeel covered up for us very well," Aslam said. "Then Zafar Gohar and Amad Butt batted excellently. We were confident till the end and the plan was if we could bat long till the last over then we would win.

"I got out at an important point, and hopefully I will not repeat the same mistake in the final, and help the team to win."

Aslam and Imam-ul-Haq have been Pakistan's in-form pair in this World Cup and the batting has depended largely on the two openers. When asked if the middle order was a concern, Aslam said there was evidence to show that they were capable of filling in when needed. Gohar agreed, saying the team's batting depth could not be underestimated.

"The total of 205 was not big. The run-rate was only four and we knew we could achieve it," Aslam said. "We had a plan in our mind to bat long and keep wickets in hand."

The conditions in the UAE were expected to be similar to that of the subcontinent where the spinners rule, but Aslam felt that on this occasion, teams with good fast-bowling stocks were most likely to succeed.

"The way the wicket has behaved so far, it is supporting the seamers as well," he said. "That is why, apart from us England, South Africa and Australia are playing in the semi-final."

It is embarrassing when you have to resort to mindless chatter rather than rely on cricketing skills in order to win a game of cricket. Some may justify it as part of the game, saying it's gone on for years and it's mental disintegration. Sorry but it's just verbal abuse and a waste of time and, as seen here, not worth while. True banter is fun. Harmless nicknames and jokes with your team mates and the opposition who respond in kind.

I
on February 25, 2014, 11:33 GMT

Since when did "banter" mean English players embarrassing themselves by trying to look tough?

Dummy4
on February 25, 2014, 9:45 GMT

good luck to team pakistan for finals!

atlas
on February 25, 2014, 9:40 GMT

zafar you played really good kept your nerve and what you get a place in final way to go bro now bring that cup to home.

Salman
on February 25, 2014, 8:45 GMT

Well said Gohar!

Winning is what it matters and now the England's strategy of sledging is looking very stupid/

In the end what matters is a PLACE in FINALs of an international World Cup event. You guys made Pakistanis proud!!Bravo!

Go and bring the World cup home, it would be a huge blessing for all of us!

Dummy4
on February 25, 2014, 7:47 GMT

well done Gohar and Butt. it was really hard and pressure but both played with calmness. Managements should control this extra bit of banter . these are just U19 guys and if they do this banter stuff now then what will happen in future.

For this game it served England well. its not over until last ball is bowled.

Dummy4
on February 25, 2014, 7:30 GMT

Thumbs up to you GUYS!It was a special performance from you!

Dummy4
on February 25, 2014, 7:12 GMT

congro boys.. way to go to becum man.. wish all yu guys form a successful Senior team.. an Indian Fan :)

Dummy4
on February 25, 2014, 6:51 GMT

In the end, the winning runs matter than the banter. All the bantering gets translated into humble pie once you are on the losing end. Best of luck in the final.

ESPN
on February 25, 2014, 6:27 GMT

good luck 4 Final

Paul
on February 25, 2014, 17:53 GMT

It is embarrassing when you have to resort to mindless chatter rather than rely on cricketing skills in order to win a game of cricket. Some may justify it as part of the game, saying it's gone on for years and it's mental disintegration. Sorry but it's just verbal abuse and a waste of time and, as seen here, not worth while. True banter is fun. Harmless nicknames and jokes with your team mates and the opposition who respond in kind.

I
on February 25, 2014, 11:33 GMT

Since when did "banter" mean English players embarrassing themselves by trying to look tough?

Dummy4
on February 25, 2014, 9:45 GMT

good luck to team pakistan for finals!

atlas
on February 25, 2014, 9:40 GMT

zafar you played really good kept your nerve and what you get a place in final way to go bro now bring that cup to home.

Salman
on February 25, 2014, 8:45 GMT

Well said Gohar!

Winning is what it matters and now the England's strategy of sledging is looking very stupid/

In the end what matters is a PLACE in FINALs of an international World Cup event. You guys made Pakistanis proud!!Bravo!

Go and bring the World cup home, it would be a huge blessing for all of us!

Dummy4
on February 25, 2014, 7:47 GMT

well done Gohar and Butt. it was really hard and pressure but both played with calmness. Managements should control this extra bit of banter . these are just U19 guys and if they do this banter stuff now then what will happen in future.

For this game it served England well. its not over until last ball is bowled.

Dummy4
on February 25, 2014, 7:30 GMT

Thumbs up to you GUYS!It was a special performance from you!

Dummy4
on February 25, 2014, 7:12 GMT

congro boys.. way to go to becum man.. wish all yu guys form a successful Senior team.. an Indian Fan :)

Dummy4
on February 25, 2014, 6:51 GMT

In the end, the winning runs matter than the banter. All the bantering gets translated into humble pie once you are on the losing end. Best of luck in the final.

ESPN
on February 25, 2014, 6:27 GMT

good luck 4 Final

Calathur
on February 25, 2014, 6:03 GMT

Hats of to the Pakistan team. Not only for winning from a hopeless situation, but showing that 'banter' is not required to be champions. It's disappointing to see that the Indian team resorted to this. No doubt at this young age, they are emulating the wrong role models.

As an Indian, I am disappointed in the behaviour of our young team. They should have concentrated on performance like Pakistan did! Congratulations Pakistan and all the best for the final!

ESPN
on February 25, 2014, 5:00 GMT

Best of luck for the final boys. We are proud of you !!

Android
on February 25, 2014, 4:19 GMT

This is what our Pakistani boys are made of. we are warriors and tough lads n we have shown once again that we are more of big 3 in real which actually India n others d trying to claim. good luck boys n cheers for the final. expecting a huge turn over in stadium for green boys also.

Dummy4
on February 25, 2014, 4:05 GMT

good job boys. i can see sami and aslam along with saud and ghulam playing for Pakistan. but lets not forget the example of losing the talent of hammad azam. he has been sidelined after his under19 brilliance. lets make them count.

Dummy4
on February 25, 2014, 4:04 GMT

Bravo young guns from Pakistan. 2 so called Big-3 teams are already gone. Come on and annihilate the 3rd one. Teach them a lesson.

Sanjay
on February 25, 2014, 2:09 GMT

What are the odds that the English players who engaged in EXACTLY the same behaviour as Zol/Bains won't even get a warning? It's a well know fact that poor behaviour from Oz, Eng, SA & NZ falls under the banner of "being competitive".

Dummy
on February 25, 2014, 1:30 GMT

That was a good innings from Gohar & Butt. Gohar was more composed and fluent. They done a wonderful job for Pakistan. We hope this batch will also carry the tradition of making every match spiced up. Why the coaching staff tell them we should finish this till or before 40th over, why so much incistance to play out 50 overs???!

Rohit
on February 25, 2014, 1:27 GMT

Good stuff Pakistan. Hope you win the cup.

M
on February 25, 2014, 1:19 GMT

Lol! Pleased to hear everyone still buddies at the end of it all.....but please, we are dying to know exactly what was said! Oh for the days of the stump mic again.

Amir
on February 25, 2014, 1:19 GMT

A good and mature gesture from the young lads from both teams. What happens at the ground must stay at the ground and should not be taken outside and the two teams showed just that.

ubaid
on February 25, 2014, 1:19 GMT

Well done Zafar!
I think this picture could be made into a Great Wall size poster that inspires you for the rest of your life. It will bring up memories of your "never say die and never give up attitude".

Taha
on February 25, 2014, 1:12 GMT

Don't worry about anyone else. just have believe in yourself and there is no one who can beat you. Keep you eyes open and ear closed and Insha Allah you will win the final. Great team efforts.

Ittifaq
on February 25, 2014, 1:09 GMT

Way to go Pakistan, Now win the finals and bring the Cup home. I wonder what will be the new scandel to put pakistan down in the world of cricket from certain cricket boards again?

Ocean
on February 25, 2014, 1:02 GMT

A great deal of maturity shown by the Pakistani players both in terms of playing in the field and with words after the match. Win or lose, this is a great bunch and the future is bright for Pakistan cricket.

With regard to the "banter", the English should have learned from their experience against the Indians (when the English were at the receiving end) that such "banters" only inspire the other team to work hard to win.

Dummy4
on February 25, 2014, 0:54 GMT

Good show Pakistan. Now believe in yourself and win the tournament. And get tournaments back into your country.

Shahid
on February 25, 2014, 0:51 GMT

One more to go. Watch out South Africa/Australia! The men in green are greener.
Go Pakistan.

No featured comments at the moment.

Shahid
on February 25, 2014, 0:51 GMT

One more to go. Watch out South Africa/Australia! The men in green are greener.
Go Pakistan.

Dummy4
on February 25, 2014, 0:54 GMT

Good show Pakistan. Now believe in yourself and win the tournament. And get tournaments back into your country.

Ocean
on February 25, 2014, 1:02 GMT

A great deal of maturity shown by the Pakistani players both in terms of playing in the field and with words after the match. Win or lose, this is a great bunch and the future is bright for Pakistan cricket.

With regard to the "banter", the English should have learned from their experience against the Indians (when the English were at the receiving end) that such "banters" only inspire the other team to work hard to win.

Ittifaq
on February 25, 2014, 1:09 GMT

Way to go Pakistan, Now win the finals and bring the Cup home. I wonder what will be the new scandel to put pakistan down in the world of cricket from certain cricket boards again?

Taha
on February 25, 2014, 1:12 GMT

Don't worry about anyone else. just have believe in yourself and there is no one who can beat you. Keep you eyes open and ear closed and Insha Allah you will win the final. Great team efforts.

ubaid
on February 25, 2014, 1:19 GMT

Well done Zafar!
I think this picture could be made into a Great Wall size poster that inspires you for the rest of your life. It will bring up memories of your "never say die and never give up attitude".

Amir
on February 25, 2014, 1:19 GMT

A good and mature gesture from the young lads from both teams. What happens at the ground must stay at the ground and should not be taken outside and the two teams showed just that.

M
on February 25, 2014, 1:19 GMT

Lol! Pleased to hear everyone still buddies at the end of it all.....but please, we are dying to know exactly what was said! Oh for the days of the stump mic again.

Rohit
on February 25, 2014, 1:27 GMT

Good stuff Pakistan. Hope you win the cup.

Dummy
on February 25, 2014, 1:30 GMT

That was a good innings from Gohar & Butt. Gohar was more composed and fluent. They done a wonderful job for Pakistan. We hope this batch will also carry the tradition of making every match spiced up. Why the coaching staff tell them we should finish this till or before 40th over, why so much incistance to play out 50 overs???!

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